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greasy
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 43

Why Both Thermocouple and Thermopile?

04/06/2016 12:57 PM

Hi fellows! I have one for the HVAC experts. My understanding is that residential furnaces and the like switched from millivolt actuation to 24V/115 to supply the greater power demands of more elaborate systems.Similarly, thermopiles are required in systems where 115 is unavailable or unreliable to provide more power. However, why do many gas fireplace systems include BOTH thermocouple and thermopile in their gas valves? Why could the thermopile not stand alone? Many thanks!
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SolarEagle
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: by the beach in Florida
Posts: 33392
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#1

Re: Why both thermocouple and thermopile?

04/06/2016 1:09 PM

The thermocouple controls the gas valve and the thermopile is actually several thermocouples together in one package which generates enough voltage for the thermostat control....

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lyn
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Why both thermocouple and thermopile?

04/06/2016 1:17 PM

As in a pile of thermocouples?
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Anonymous Poster #1
#3

Re: Why both thermocouple and thermopile?

04/06/2016 1:19 PM

the pile is a generator....converts heat to millivolts for solenoid power, the couple is a safety, if the flame quits the system shuts down.
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greasy
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 43
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Why both thermocouple and thermopile?

04/06/2016 2:03 PM

granted but the thermocouple was quite sufficient for solenoid operation back in the day. Similarly, thermostat operation does not necessarily require the added power provided by the thermopile.
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SolarEagle
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#5
In reply to #4

Re: Why both thermocouple and thermopile?

04/06/2016 2:15 PM

The thermopile is an added failsafe for the main gas valve control....

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dj95401
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Saint Helens, Oregon
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#6

Re: Why Both Thermocouple and Thermopile?

04/06/2016 6:44 PM

This link might explain it better, http://www.ehow.com/info_12199012_thermopile-vs-thermocouple-fireplace.html

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johng128
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
#7

Re: Why Both Thermocouple and Thermopile?

10/11/2018 7:51 AM

I don't see a real answer yet. Today I was troubleshooting a propane residential gas firepace for a friend and found it uses both a thermocouple and a thermopile. I have been repairing commercial kitchen gas appliances full time since 2006 and have never seen both used in the same piece of equipment. Seems like a waste of money/parts. In the commercial food service equipment if there is a thermopile it is used to operate both the pilot and the thermosat gas valve. So why bother with two parts doing the job that can be done by one? Is someone doing an end run around a patent?
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Anonymous Poster (1); dj95401 (1); greasy (1); johng128 (1); lyn (1); SolarEagle (2)

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